While driving, my 2011 RX 450h, about 45mph in 4th, I up shifted to D and the engine stopped. I pulled over, put it in park and the engine started again. Before I contact my service manager/ writer du jour, are there any ideas why the engine stopped while driving?

Regard,
kona44

 

what do you mean the engine stopped? saying the engine stopped in a hybrid could mean two things, that it was running on the battery, or that the whole car stalled to a stop...

any warning lights on the dash?

 

It's common for the engine to start and stop even while driving or especially while coasting or stopped or any condition where the ICE (internal combustion engine) is not needed. It switches to battery 'only' only hence 'Hybrid' drive. If you were in the sport mode you're controlling the tranny rather than the computer controlling it and likely using more fuel and causing the ICE to remain on.

It's running correctly in 'D' if the engine is on and off (depending on conditions). I'd suggest you spend some time thoroughly reading the hybrid section of the manual, there is lots of good info there especially for persons who have not had a hybrid previously.

 

Wrong information. My wife said I was I was probably disengaging the cruise control, not up shifting. A great suggestion already came in; I'm going to go back and read my owners manuel. There are nuances about a hybrid, I need to understand. Thanks

Regards,
kona44

 

This is new technology to most folks and pretty high tech at that. Rather than slam someone over lack of knowledge, let's try to help them. That's what this board is for.

Welcome to our board SRTGS300
When are you going to spring for an (h) ???

 

Sorry for not getting back sooner, but thanks for the replies. I reread the hybrid section in the manuel; it's clear, that a steady-eddy driving style is beneficial. It's hard for me to slow down coming up to a traffic signal while 15 cars roar ahead and cut in front causing me to brake or stop completely. I'm not complaining, it happens to everybody.

If the 450h ICE/Hybrid stops the next time, I will remember to pay attention to any lights on the dash. The last incident, I was surprised and busy getting the car safely off the road. I think I have been programed to recall the last chain of events, so I can check the instruments while steering the vehicle.

Also, I'll check with my service department and keep the forum advised.

Mahalo,
kona44

 

Does this have something to do with the "Kim Kardashian files for divorce after 72 days!" thread?


kona44, did you have brakes and power steering when you pulled off to the side of the road? Not having those would have freaked me out.

 

I guess I'm dense. Am I supposed to read something into this ???

 

Maybe it's me. I don't see SRTGS300's comment you quoted anywhere in this thread. I was wondering where it came from? Thought it was about Kim Kardashian

 

Oops, little slow here. SRTGS300's comments must have been deleted.

My question still remains for kona44:

kona44, did you have brakes and power steering when you pulled off to the side of the road? Not having those would have freaked me out.

 

David, now that you mentioned it, I must have had P/S and brakes, because the car steered very easy off the road and stopped, but I was not going that fast. The only thing I remember is no power, gas/battery, when I pushed the gas pedal. If this happens again, I think I'm better prepared now to better evaluate the situation in real time. Keep the forum advise.

Mahalo
kona44

 

Kona, up to now I thought it was just behaving normally as a hybrid does frequently shut off the gas engine. But there is always a response when you hit the throttle from either the gas engine or the electric motors so something does seem amiss. What happened after you stopped? See if you can recall the whole sequence please. It's probably hard to remember everything from several days ago but you did say "My wife said I was I was probably disengaging the cruise control, not up shifting.", and it almost sounds as though the car was possibly in neutral. Is it possible it got shifted there by accident. I've never heard of a case like yours before, it certainly hasn't happened to me.

 

Yeah, I deleted my comment.

 

Jim, thanks for the reply. I drove the car very slowly in an empty parking lot and put the vehicle in neutral; guess what, the engine had no response. no revs, no sound, no wheel engagement , no dash lights, etc., but drove after going back in drive. I must have inadvertently pushed into neutral while thinking I was downshifting. Everything else seem to work. I was driving in Northern Arizona, descending a long downhill mountain road; I like to gently use the transmission instead of riding the brakes. Still, I will run it by my dealer and advise.

Mahalo,
kona44

 

Well, at least you've practiced what to do in a case of sudden unintended acceleration. Although, I haven't heard of any cases of SUA in a RX450h.

Remember riding the brakes is not necessarily riding the brakes. You turn the electric motor(s) into generators first regenerating juice for the batteries. I know folks downshift, but it's too flat where I drive or I'm too lazy to downshift manually. I let the computer take care of that.